Walking into Lex Bar & Pizzeria, right off the parking lot of Plitvice Shopping Mall, you wouldn’t expect a culinary adventure.
The establishment draws a clear line: while drinks can be savored outdoors, food must be enjoyed within its walls. This peculiarity, however, comes with a twist—smoking is permitted on the terrace. A practice that might definitely catch some off-guard, especially as the lingering scent of smoke permeates the interior, offering a throwback to a not-so-distant past when smoking in eateries was more common.
The Vibe
Dark colors and plastic flowers hanging from the ceiling set a modern yet peculiar scene.
The atmosphere is animated by the sounds of Croatian pop tunes, likely emanating from a radio station, creating a lively, albeit somewhat noisy, backdrop. Guests and even staff singing along now and then, marking it definitely a go-to place for locals.
For those particularly sensitive to smoke, Lex Bar & Pizzeria in Plitvice might pose a challenge, as fumes coming in from the terrace can detract from the dining experience.
Nonetheless, the place seems to hold a certain appeal, drawing a steady crowd of mostly locals, even during the off-season. This popularity hints at Lex’s potential as a vibrant spot worth exploring for visitors looking for an experience.
Our Rating
| Food | |
| Service | |
| Ambiance | |
| How likely are we to come back | |
Average | |
Service
When it comes to service, Lex Bar & Pizzeria lands in the realm of “satisfactory”. The staff, while kind and smiling, seem to occasionally forget the essence of hospitality. Four waiters chatting at the counter while forgetting about looking at the customers is an excellent example of what makes you think twice about whether you’ll come back to a place again.
Another example is the waiting time for a pizza, which, at 20 minutes, might stretch the patience of a hungry diner, especially when the restaurant isn’t bustling.
What I Ate
This time I was alone and tried their pizza rustica followed by an almond cake and an espresso.
Digging into the Pizza Rustica (Tomato, mozzarella, ham, arugula, Grana Padano) made at the wood-fired oven at Lex was like hitting a minor culinary jackpot in the Croatian wilderness. A good pizza when you consider you are in the middle of nowhere, but of course lacking many aspects to call it Neapolitan. The crust was crispy and soft at the same time as it should be, though a tad dense. The dough, as well as the sauce, was a bit shy on salt. Mozzarella on top of cooked ham made for an interesting mix.
The almond cake was the other road I took, hoping for a sweet finish. But alas, it was more sugar rush than flavor, with a preserve layer that just didn’t click. Ultimately, a swing and a miss.
Ending on a high, the Lavazza espresso was spot on – a perfect pick-me-up. It’s a little win, but a good coffee to finish your meal in a place like this feels like striking gold.
